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A Georgia mother used a gas pump to fend off a man accused of trying to snatch her children at a gas station, with newly released surveillance video capturing the frightening encounter.
The video, obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, shows the woman pumping gas at a Shell station in Marietta around midnight last week when a shirtless, barefoot man, later identified by police as 30-year-old Jerahn Tucker, approached the family’s vehicle.
Marietta Police Department Public Information Officer Charles McPhilamy said Tucker initially spoke with the woman before the encounter suddenly escalated.
FAMILY STOPPED ALLEGED CHILD KIDNAPPER AS POLICE SAY STAFFING SHORTAGE DELAYED RESPONSE UP TO 40 MINUTES
“He appears to charge at the car,” McPhilamy said. “He’s trying to open the car doors. He’s trying to pull the child out of the back seat.”
A warrant cited by FOX 5 Atlanta says the mother later told investigators Tucker claimed he had a gun before becoming aggressive.
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Surveillance video shows one of the woman’s children jumping from the vehicle and running around it as Tucker chased after him. At one point, Tucker opened the rear passenger door while another child remained inside the vehicle.
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The mother then grabbed the gas pump hose and used it to keep Tucker away from her children until two bystanders rushed over to help, the video shows.
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“What is this individual capable of?” McPhilamy said. “What are they doing? Why are they trying to get in my own car? What are they doing? Trying to pull children out of the car.”
Two witnesses dropped what they were carrying and rushed over to help as someone called 911, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
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Tucker got into his vehicle and drove away, but officers stopped him a short distance from the gas station and took him into custody.
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“The actions of the mother and everyone on the scene, their ability to remain calm under pressure and push him away, get him away from the children, get a hold of us so that we can get to the area allowed us to hold this individual accountable,” McPhilamy told the station.
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Tucker remains in the Cobb County Jail on charges including kidnapping and simple assault.
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Authorities have not released a possible motive for the alleged attack.
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